A SON attacked his parents after taking exception to being awoken and left with what he considered insufficient money for his lunch, a court heard.

Martin Thomas Hornby, 29, was jailed for a year after a judge said he was, effectively, “out of control” after losing his temper at the family home, in Stanley, County Durham, on November 11.

Durham Crown Court heard the incident arose after his father went to Hornby’s bedroom in late morning to ask what he wanted for lunch and then told him money had been left for sandwiches.

Hornby angrily came downstairs, saying the £2 was not enough as the cost of the sandwiches had risen to £2.50.

He punched the fridge and a kitchen door, before throwing a full cup of coffee in his mother’s face.

Mr Cleasby said she was not scalded, but, “in exasperation”, put her hands round him and said she had, “had enough”, and wanted him to leave.

Hornby responded by hitting her in the face with the empty coffee cup, causing her top and bottom lips to bleed.

Mr Cleasby said, seeing the blood, Hornby immediately apologised, but his mother repeated that she was sick of his behaviour, and went for a drive to “calm down”.

On her return, Hornby also came back and said he wanted his £30 weekly board money back, but she said he could only have a partial refund.

When she later left to pick up a friend, Hornby threatened to lock her out, and twice opened the car doors as she drove away.

Mr Cleasby said when she came back, he threw pebbles at her car, then punched his father in the face, and twice kicked the garden gate.

Hornby threatened to stab his father with what appeared to be a hunting knife, swinging his arm round and making lunging movements.

Police were called and when they located Hornby he claimed to have discarded the knife in a nearby drain.

Mr Cleasby said it was never recovered.

Hornby, formerly of Harelaw Gardens, who has remained in custody since the incident, admitted two assaults, plus affray and possessing a bladed article.

Christopher Knox, mitigating, said Hornby had previously suffered a “significant” head injury and, being physically small, was “vulnerable” in prison surroundings.

Mr Knox added that Hornby had reconciled with his brother, but not his parents.

Jailing him, for 12 months, however, Judge Simon Hickey said while “out of control” Hornby could have stabbed his father.

He warned him any repeat would only result in a longer sentences being imposed.